Brewing element with a central inlet

ABSTRACT

A portable beverage preparation device comprising a drink container containing a predetermined volume of a potable base liquid; at least one beverage preparation of a predetermined quantity; at least one sealed compartment for confining the beverage preparation; and a dispenser means for dispersing the at least one beverage preparation into the base liquid within the drink container; wherein the drink container and the at least one sealed compartment are in close physical proximity to each other and separated by at least one thin membrane which, when inwardly perforated by the dispenser means, disperses the at least one beverage preparation into the base liquid to make a beverage ready to drink.

The present application is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/814,677 filed on Jul. 25, 2007 by the Applicant,the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to beverage brewing elements andsystems, and in particular, to a self-supporting brewing element with acentral inlet disposed within a drinking container and usable inconjunction with espresso machines and portable beverage brewingsystems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Both pod and capsule portafilters used in espresso machines have acylindrical chamber to hold the ground materials, such as coffee, usedin brewing. The cylindrical envelope of this chamber is closed and thetop and the base of the cylinder are perforated to allow pressurizedwater to enter the cylinder from one side flushing axially through theground coffee and exiting as an espresso beverage from the other,perforated side.

Since the espresso preparation procedure involves the use of highpressure water flushing through the brewing materials, such as groundcoffee, and this pressure develops very high axial and radial forces onthe internal face of the capsule, a very rigid construction is needed tosupport the capsule during the preparation process. Such rigidconstruction increases the cost of producing the brewing machine and thecost to the consumer is like-wise higher.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a broad object of the present invention to overcomethe disadvantages and limitations of the prior art by providing aself-supporting brewing element with a central inlet, disposed within adrinking container and usable in conjunction with espresso machines andportable beverage brewing systems.

The present invention improves on the contemporary art by providing anew type of capsule that eliminates the need for rigid and complicatedconstruction of the brewing element or the associated structure, such asa special rigid chamber, which is ordinarily needed to firmly hold thecapsule in place in an espresso machine during the preparation process.

Thus there is provided a portable beverage preparation devicecomprising:

a sealed drink container having a central inlet sealed with a punchablemembrane, the container containing a predetermined volume of a potablebase liquid;

a capsule brewing element disposed within the container comprising atleast one sealed compartment having a predetermined quantity of at leastone beverage preparation contained therein; and

a dispenser means for dispersing the at least one beverage preparationinto the drink container;

such that when the drink container is connected to an operating espressosystem, the base liquid is heated therein and returned via the centralinlet to the drink container as pressurized liquid, mixing with the atleast one beverage preparation, and engorging and stretching the sealedcompartment to activate the dispenser means which disperses the mixedbrew into the drink container.

The self-supporting, capsule of the present invention is particularlysuitable to serve as an integral part of a special disposable cup whichcontains both a pre-measured amount of potable liquid, such as water,and one or more powdered ingredients, such as coffee, to make either ahot or cold mixed brew.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the capsule comprising thebrewing element is toroidal-shaped. In another embodiment of the presentinvention, the capsule is tubular-shaped and made from aluminum whichhas ideal characteristics for the purpose of providing a self-supportingbrewing element. Both these embodiments share the advantage of beingable to withstand high pressure without any external support, so theycan be integrated within a plastic cup as self-supporting brewingelements. By definition, use of aluminum in the tubular brewing elementmakes for an excellent humidity buffer between the water surrounding thetube and the powdered brewing ingredients contained within the tube.

Furthermore, since the tube comprising the brewing element is formed ofone piece of aluminum, it can be hermetically and reliably sealed at itsopen distal end. It does not need an additional part to use as a coverto close this end. Folding the lower, distal end of the tube materialupon itself also performs a perfect hermetic sealing of the tube. Thisnew type of capsule will allow the production of a more flexible andgreatly simplified mechanism for use in the next generation of espressomachines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention with regard to theembodiments thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, notto scale, in which like numerals or characters designate correspondingelements or sections throughout and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the capsule of thepresent invention shown connected directly to a high-pressure water pumpin a portable beverage brewing system;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the capsule ofthe present invention shown connected directly to a high-pressure waterpump in a portable beverage brewing system;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tube brewing element from FIG. 2formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a cut-away view showing the disposition of the tube brewingelement of FIG. 3 within a cup;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the tube brewing element and cup fromFIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the cup and brewing element from FIG.5 shown after hot pressurized water is admitted into the inlet of thetube-shaped brewing element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the capsule of thepresent invention shown connected directly to a high-pressure water pumpin a portable beverage brewing system.

The portable beverage brewing system comprises: a power and control unit12 connected to a power source connector 14, for example, an autocigarette lighter plug, and connected to a length of heater element 16for heating the water for making a brew; a water suction pump 18 andsuction tube 20 for drawing water 22 (shown as wavy lines) from acontainer 24, such as a cup, into the hot water pumping section 26; ahigh pressure pump 28 to create the necessary pressure to flush thewater through the inner and outer envelope 30 of a brewing element 32,such as the toroidal capsule in one embodiment of the present invention;and a housing unit 34 for containing the various power and controlcomponents of the system which is shown mounted as a sealed unit 10 tothe cup 24 where the brew is made.

Note that the sealed unit 10 is removable after the brew has beenprepared and may be reused with another beverage brewing cup. The cup 24is provided with a cover 36 having two inlets 38 a/b to accommodate andattach the housing unit 34 to cup 24. One inlet 38 a introduces suctiontube 20 into cup 24 (and may also be used as a mouthpiece for drinkingthe prepared brew) while the other admits nozzle 40 into the centralbore of the capsule brewing element 32, thus allowing pressurized waterto flow (as shown by down arrow) into inlet 38 b when the components ofsealed unit 10 are operating.

Note also that the capsule brewing element 32 is provided with aperforated inner and outer envelope 30 (perforations indicated by arrowsexiting capsule brewing element 32) which allows the flushed brew toflow radially outward through the multiple perforations and thus fillcup 24 with a predetermined volume of a heated brew, such as coffee.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the capsule ofthe present invention shown connected directly to a high-pressure waterpump in a portable beverage brewing system.

A sealed unit 10 comprising a high-pressure water pump 28 is connectedto cup 24 and operated essentially as described for the toroid brewingelement shown in FIG. 1. The essential difference in this embodiment ofthe present invention is the use of a unique tubular-shaped brewingelement 50 (hereinafter tube 50) containing a pre-measured quantity ofat least one brewing ingredient 42. Tube 50 in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention, is substantially,centrally disposed within cup 24, with its narrower, distal end 46having a fold 44 formed thereon to hermetically seal tube 50. The distalend 46 is oriented downward within cup 24 within a potable liquid, suchas treated water 22. This tube 50 is made, in a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, of aluminum to take advantage of several, usefulcharacteristics of this material, as described below, in reference toFIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tube brewing element from FIG. 2formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. The inventive concept is based on a brewing element formedsuch that the tube diameter is relatively narrow compared with the tubelength. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, tube brewingelement 50 comprises a single piece of aluminum material including aninlet tube 52 at its proximal end 48 that is sealed with a thin,punchable membrane 53. It should be noted that in the case of a tubecapsule containing—for example, ground coffee—where the tube section issmall, there is a more even flow of water through the ground coffeebeans, and more water will be in contact with every grain. This isespecially important to provide for the rich, full taste of whateverbrewing ingredients are used to make a brew.

Membrane 53 is easily punched when, for example, a high-pressure waterpump, such as shown in FIG. 2, is mechanically connected to tube 50 (asindicated by arrow 51) through inlet tube 52.

Tube 50 is initially formed open at its other, distal end 46 for fillingwith one or more brewing ingredients, and then hermetically sealed bysimply folding the thin distal end 46 over itself a few times to formfolded end 44. The advantage of this is that no special or additionalpart is needed for closing tube 50.

In some cases the internal wall near distal end 46 has an elastomericcoating for a better sealing when folded. Folded end 44 of tube 50 mightalso be made crimped or heat-sealed since the aluminum foil materialused in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is very thin.Optionally, distal end 46 may be sealed by any means known to thoseskilled in the art. The brewing material is filled directly into thetube 50 or, alternatively, a unique pre-filled capsule (for example madeof plastic with a few vertical and/or horizontal chambers providedtherein for storing several comestible materials) is inserted into tube50.

FIG. 4 is a cut-away view showing the disposition of the tube brewingelement of FIG. 3 within a cup.

A container, such as cup 24 is sealed with a cover 36 which isadvantageously provided with at least one outlet, such as lip 38 a fordrinking the finished brew and which also serves as a portal for asuction tube 20 used to initially pump the potable liquid (not shown)from cup 24 into a heating and pressurizing unit (see FIG. 2). Lip 38 ais sealed with a thin membrane 23. Cover 36 is also provided with atleast one inlet 38 b which engages inlet tube 52 of tube brewing element50. Inlet tube 52 is sealed with a thin membrane 53.

The distal end 46 of tube 50 is shown disposed within a pair of “jaws”comprising sharp punching ribs 62 formed integrally to dispenser means60. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least onepair of opposing punching ribs 62 are provided for puncturing tube 50 torelease only the liquid portion, i.e., the mixed brew, from within tube50 into cup 24.

When hot pressurized liquid, such as water, is injected (indicated byarrow 51) through inlet tube 52, it mixes with one or more brewingingredients, such as ground coffee, contained within tube 50.

If the pre-filled capsule comprising tube 50 is formed with multiplechambers, it is possible to store several different comestible materialsinsertable together into tube 50 to make a mixed brew. Additionalingredients for a brew, such as sugar, or a milk powder, can be providedto add flavor to a coffee brew. In another embodiment of the presentinvention, the brewing material is provided in pre-measured quantitiesvia a pre-filled capsule insertable into tube 50.

The very thin aluminum foil material comprising tube 50 stretches, beingengorged by the pressurized water, thus bringing distal end 46 intodirect contact with punching ribs 62. The thin aluminum material of tube50 is then easily perforated when mechanically punched by the sharppunching ribs 62 comprising dispenser means 60, thus releasing the mixedbrew through the resulting perforations directly into cup 24.

It should be noted that millions of aluminum tubes are used worldwideevery day, predominantly in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries,due to their superb barrier properties against humidity, UV chemicals,moisture, and the like. In this preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, a pure aluminum coin (slug) is used as the raw material forpreparing an aluminum tube.

Aluminum tubes are produced in a production process called “reverseimpact extrusion”. By a very rapid and aggressive cold-formingprocedure, the small coin is turned into a thin-walled aluminum tubewith a front nipple that is closed, an easy to puncture inlet membrane,and a distal rear end that is open for inserting filling material. Afterthe filling material is injected into the tube, the rear end is simplyfolded, crimped and hermetically sealed.

There are three main benefits for using an aluminum tube in constructionof a brewing element (capsule):

1) The aluminum capsule is made from a single piece of material that isformed into a front nipple having an inlet, a punchable membranecovering the inlet, and a tube. There is no additional part or cover forhermetically sealing the tube after filling it with material, such asground coffee beans for making an espresso brew. The tube is sealed bysimply folding over itself the thin, distal end of the tube.

2) Using a tube to form a brewing capsule brings the state of the art toa new level wherein the capsule is designed without any or onlynegligible external support so as to withstand the very high waterpressure and the effects of high temperatures resulting from its use inespresso machines.

Prior art capsules have been designed in a shape or category of“container”, either as a cylindrical container having a diameter aboutone and a half times its length (for example, 36 mm diameter by 18 mmlength), and/or a ball container, a toroidal container, a sphericalcontainer, and the like.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the capsule isformed as a tube having a diameter of about 20 mm and a length of about60 mm. A tube can withstand much higher water pressure than the priorart containers mentioned above and since the tube section is small, theaxial force that water exerts on the contents, e.g., ground coffee, isabout two times smaller compared to that in prior art capsules.

3) Since the volume of water needed for espresso preparation is verysmall, the use of large diameter capsules, as in the prior art, maycause the water to not flow evenly through the whole capsule section.For example, the water may flow more in the center and less in theperimeter of the capsule.

In the case of a tube capsule where the tube section is small, a moreeven flow of water is obtained flowing through the brewing ingredientsand water is more likely to come into contact with all or most all ofthe material comprising the ingredients.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the tube brewing element and cup fromFIG. 4.

Cup 24 comprises a dispenser means 60 having at least one pair of sharp,punching ribs 62 in close proximity to the lower, distal end 46 of tube50. Cup 24 is pre-filled with a measured quantity of potable liquid 22,such as treated water, which is pumped out and recycled via suction tube20 attached to cover 36 when cup 24 is attached to a typical espressomachine (see FIG. 2) and the machine is operated. Suction tube 20 isinitially sealed with a thin membrane 23 which is punctured mechanicallyby the operation of the espresso machine.

Suction tube 20 acts like a straw and can be used to drink the finishedbrew through lip 38 a formed in cover 36. Note that tube 50 has a foldedend 44 which provides a hermetic seal for the dry brewing ingredients42, such as ground coffee, which are kept separate from potable liquid22. Protruding from cover 36 is an inlet tube 52 for allowing return ofthe potable liquid 22 into the cup 36 from the espresso machine. Theinlet tube 52 is formed with a punchable membrane 53 which ismechanically punched when cup 24 is attached to the outlet of theespresso machine, as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the cup and brewing element from FIG.5 shown after hot pressurized water is admitted into the inlet of thetube-shaped brewing element.

When a user inserts a drinking container, such as cup 24, into anespresso machine (not shown) and the machine is operated, the potablebase liquid, such as treated water 22, within cup 24 is drawn up (arrow21) through suction tube 20 into the espresso machine and heated andthen returned (arrow 51) through inlet tube 38 b in a pressurized formthrough the narrow, inlet tube 52 to tube brewing element 50.

Tube 50 contains one or more dry brewing ingredients 42, such as groundcoffee. The brewing ingredients 42 generally mix thoroughly withrecycled water, but only in a protected environment. The high pressurealso causes the lower, distal end 46 of the tube 50 to come into directcontact with at least one pair of punching ribs 62 advantageously formedintegrally to the bottom of cup 24. These punching ribs 62 puncture thealuminum in one or more places and perforate the distal end 46 of tube50 so that the espresso brew (shown by a series of arrows) is releaseddownward and radially into cup 24 through the perforations made.

When cup 24 is removed from the espresso machine, a convenient drinkinglip 38 a is provided on the cover 36, which allows a user to drink thefinished brew while it is hot and ready by sucking up the finished brewthrough suction tube 20, which acts as a straw. Alternatively, thefinished brew is drunk using one or more openings conveniently providedin cover 36 for this purpose. Disposal of the empty cup 24 is quick,sanitary, and efficient since discarding cup 24 with any remainingcontents can be done without the need for wiping up spills as isnecessary when using ordinary porcelain cups. Furthermore, ordinarycups, unlike the one-time use portable cup 24, require cleaning and athorough washing up for later reuse.

Having described the invention with regard to certain specificembodiments thereof, it is understood that the description is not meantas a limitation, since further modifications will now suggest themselvesto those skilled in the art, and it is intended to cover suchmodifications as fall within the scope of the attached claims.

1. A portable beverage preparation device comprising: a sealed drinkcontainer having a central inlet sealed with a punchable membrane, saidcontainer containing a predetermined volume of a potable base liquid; acapsule brewing element disposed within said container comprising atleast one sealed compartment having a predetermined quantity of at leastone beverage preparation contained therein; and a dispenser means fordispersing said at least one beverage preparation into said drinkcontainer; such that when said drink container is connected to anoperating espresso system, said base liquid is heated therein andreturned via said central inlet to said drink container as pressurizedliquid, mixing with said at least one beverage preparation, andengorging and stretching said sealed compartment to activate saiddispenser means which disperses said mixed brew into said drinkcontainer.
 2. The portable beverage preparation device of claim 1wherein said drink container is a cup.
 3. The portable beveragepreparation device of claim 1 wherein said potable base liquid is water.4. The portable beverage preparation device of claim 1 wherein saidcapsule brewing element is formed free-standing.
 5. The portablebeverage preparation device of claim 1 wherein said capsule brewingelement is formed so as to withstand internal pressure without anyexternal support.
 6. The portable beverage preparation device of claim 4wherein said capsule brewing element is constructed in the form of atoroid.
 7. The portable beverage preparation device of claim 4 whereinsaid capsule brewing element is constructed in the form of a tube. 8.The portable beverage preparation device of claim 7 wherein said tube ismade from a single piece of material comprising a nipple inlet at aproximal end covered with a punchable membrane, and formed with an opendistal end.
 9. The portable beverage preparation device of claim 7wherein said tube has a length relatively bigger than the diameter ofsaid tube.
 10. The portable beverage preparation device of claim 7wherein said tube is disposed within said drink container in an uprightorientation in close proximity to said dispenser means.
 11. The portablebeverage preparation device of claim 7 wherein said tube is separated byat least one thin membrane from said dispenser means.
 12. The portablebeverage preparation device of claim 7 wherein said tube is formed fromaluminum.
 13. The portable beverage preparation device of claim 8wherein said open distal end is hermetically sealed by being folded overupon itself to form a sealed end.
 14. The portable beverage preparationdevice of claim 13 wherein said sealed end comprises said dispensermeans, said sealed end being made to unfold when pressurized liquidfills and engorges said tube brewing element allowing dispersal of saidmixed brew contained therein to disperse within said drink container.15. The portable beverage preparation device of claim 1 wherein saiddispenser means comprises a series of radial perforations formed in theoutside envelope of said capsule brewing element for dispensing saidmixed brew when pressurized liquid is introduced into said capsulebrewing element.
 16. The portable beverage preparation device of claim 1wherein said dispenser means comprises a punching element.
 17. Theportable beverage preparation device of claim 16 wherein said punchingelement comprises at least one pair of punching ribs for inwardlyperforating said capsule brewing element when high pressure waterengorges said capsule and causes said distal end of said tube to expand.18. The portable beverage preparation device of claim 1 wherein saidbrewing material is filled directly into said tube.
 19. The portablebeverage preparation device of claim 1 wherein said brewing material isprovided in pre-measured quantities via a pre-filled capsule insertableinto said tube.
 20. The portable beverage preparation device of claim 19wherein said pre-filled capsule is formed with multiple chambers forstoring different comestible materials insertable together into saidtube to make said mixed brew.